The reasons why Rhode Island declared her independence of Great Britain, May 4, 1776 / by James N. Arnold

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The licasons Wliy

Rhode Island

DRCLAUliD lll^li INDEPENDIiNCE

of

Great Britain

May 4, 1 776

By James IS. Arnold

78 ?337

I

rim !>ecliiration oi" Independence of lihode
Island, May 4, I77(>. S()nu>
Reasons for the Act ^

HE period of a revolutionary struggle against
the governing powers is always a period of
discord and disorder. The laws are held
more or less in contempt and the officers,
from the King down, are treated with disrespect if not
with open defiance. This is true the world over and
never has there heen an exception thereto. Revolution-
ists or Reformers have also been very careless about
their laws and regulations. The law of action was to
make such a rule as the time seemed to demand and
to change at will or as necessity demanded. The more
wild, savage or primitive the people were, the more
arbitrary were the rules of the hour.

We think when all the evidence is in, when the facts
and reasons therefor are duly and impartially considered
and weighed, and considering the great importance of the
outcome thereof, that the American Revolution was the
freest from disastrous dissentions, tunrults and wild ex-
cesses of any struggle in modern times. The people on
the whole seemed to know and to thoroughly understand
what they wanted, what was needed, and, it can be safely
added, what they were determined to have and enjoy.

After the struggle was over there came upon the
people the great thought and question, ''How can we pro-
tect ourselves against ourselves?" Conferences were held,

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R. I. DECLARATION OF INDKPENDKNCE

the questions debated and conclusions reached in a general
Constitution which is a model of statecraft when viewed
from the times and experiences of that period in history.

The various Colonial Charters were very diverse in
their powers and duties. Some were very conservative.
The most radical was the one for Rhode Island.

This particular Charter was the germ of the future
independence of all the English Colonies. When it is read
carefully it is surprising that such a radical paper was
ever suffered to be pronmlgated by the hand of Royalty.

It was the liberal reading and interpreting of this
instrument as well as its daily a])plications to the affairs
of the Colony that led up to the conduct of our people
at the beginning of the Revolution. Some of these drifts
of opinion it is our intention now to discuss and elucidate
in this paper.

It has always been a delicate question, that of Taxa-
tion. To protect one's possessions has caused all the
wars that have ever visited earth. The Roman and
Grecian Empires through their annals give us the most
minute and exact conduct in national affairs of all the
earlier nations since the time such records have been kept
by man. The Roman IvCgion went forth to battle against
another people and no respect was shown property. It
was nothing but a great steal. These stolen goods were
brought to Rome and exhibited in a great Trium])li.
This great Triumph inflamed the savage nature of the
people to combine together for another raid as soon as the
proceeds of the last one had been disposed of. This made
the Roman people in plain unvarnished English a nation
of robbers and thieves. The Priest urged the whole thing
on; more, encouraged it for the selfish reason that it
brought wealth to his hand and did not expose himself
to peril. He it was who assured the people that the Gods
looked favorably upon and blessed such proceedings.

R. I. DKCLARATION OF INDKPKNDRNCR 5a

What was true of the priesthood of Rome was true also
of the other uatious.

It was a work of ceuturies for the people to learu
how to collect a just tax ; iu fact the lessou is yet learu-
in^, but the people of some uatious to-day have so far
learut how to collect tax without bloodshed.

Riglit here couies iu the fact tliat the Auiericau
Colouies have uiatured aud have exhibited the fairest
system of taxatiou of auy people of uioderu tiuies. It
cau be safely claiuied that this uatiou has collected the
uiost colossal sum iu taxes of uioderu times with the
least bloodshed.

Taxatiou therefore beiu^ a very delicate subject en-
tered largely iuto the question of tlie Revolution. Indeed
the war-cry was " No Taxes without Representation."
One of the charges in the National Declaration was " For
imposing Taxes on us without our consent.''

It can be safely concluded that had the British
Government consented to have the Colonies fittingly
represented in the Parliament that the separation would
not have taken place at that time.

Another charge iu the National Declaration is " For
cutting off our trade with all parts of the world." This
worked more seriously in our Colony than any of the
others. Our Charter gave us the right to make war
against the enemies of England and to provide for our
naval aud military defense. It gave us the rights of the
sea.

Now it is a well known historical fact that the British
Government depended almost exclusively on the revenue
from the various imports to defray her Naval Armament.
Ilence it naturally follows, giving these rights to our
Colony in the Charter, it was most naturally interpreted,
if the power to arm aud defend both on land and sea
was given, the right to provide for its maintenance

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R. I. DECLARATION OF INDRPRNDKNCK

followed. Therefore following English precedent strictly
the Revenue Laws that were imposed by the General
Assembly were to provide means to defray the cost of such
an armament. As the Charter gave them the sole right to
lay taxes and they had done so for a long term of years
and the Home (iovernment had raised no objection it was
conceded that the right so long used and enjoyed had been
accepted and a])proved by that government and was un-
questioned.

From the first settlements on the North American
Continent to the time of the Revolution there had been
a fierce rivalry between the three nations of Europe for
possession, viz. : England, France, and Spain. luigland
was a nation of heretics. The papacy was far more
friendly towards France and Spain which had so far
been more obedient to its wishes. The papal influence
was exerted to have one devote its energies to the South,
the other at the North, there to build up and fortify for
future protection. Again it was determined that these
two nations should have a chain of forts and a line of
communication with each other, that the natives should be
flattered and placated. This duty fell to France. Hence
her policy so reverse from that of Spain. France had
done her work well. The English Colonies were sur-
rounded. The screws being puslied by France too sharp
to be agreeable led to the " Old FVencli War," so called,
which destroyed the glory of F'rance in North America.
The war entailed a heavy war expense upon the home
powers. England was so nmch embarrassed that she had
to raise more revenue and could not with safety lay it upon
her people alone. It was held that the colonies had been
protected at great cost and therefore should assume a part
of the cost. The Colonies claimed that the war had been
started without their consent and approbation. That
they had been put to great and needless expense and that

R. I. DKCLARATION OF INDKPRNDKNCK ya

in future the natives had been so tampered with that it
was needful tliat a great expense woukl be upon them
annually to protect their frontier. At the same time they
aoreed if they could be represented in Parliament they
would consider the proposition of Taxation.

The English Government here made a mistake ; they
should have had the colonies represented and setting such
an example for her other colonies she would to-day in all
probability be the most powerful nation on the globe.
To be fair to the home government we must concede that
they had good and solid reasons why they did not grant
representation. They had the example of Spain before
them and they had learned that the Spanish nobility
were recuperating their fortunes by exploiting the western
colonies, and now their own nobility wanted to do the
same here. The National Declaration charges, " He has
erected a nuiltitude of new ofhces and sent hither swarms
of ofTicers to harrow our people and eat out our substance. "

All this proves only selfishness and regard only for
the rights of the very few.

The charges relating to aiding these officers are given
in these words :

" He has kept among us in times of peace standing
armies without the consent of our legislature.

" He has affected to render the military independent
of and superior to the civil power.

" For quartering large bodies of troops among us.

" For protecting them by a mock trial from punish-
ment for any murders which they should commit on the
inhabitants of these states.

" He has abdicated government here by declaring us
out of his protection and waging war against us.

He is at this time transporting large armies of
foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, deso-
lation and tyranny already begun with circumstances of

8a R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbar-
ous ages and totally unworthy the head of a civilized
nation.

*' He has excited domestic insurrection among us and
has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers
the merciless Indian savages whose known rule of warfare
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and
conditions."

The above refers to the military arm. It is now in
order to recite the naval contingent :

''For cutting off our trade with all ports of the world.

''For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pre-
tended offences.

"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts,
burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.

"He has constrained our fellow citizens taken cap-
tive on the high seas to bear arms against their country,
to become the executioners of their friends and brethren,
or to fall themselves by their hands."

The laws and the rights of the General Assemblies
are also alluded in these charges :

"He has refused his assent to laws the most whole-
some and necessary for the public good.

"He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of
immediate and pressing importance unk^ss suspended in
their operation till his assent should be obtained and
when so suspended he has utterly neglected to attend to
them.

"He has refused to pass other laws for the accommo-
dation of large districts of people unless those people
would relinquish the right of representation in the Legis-
lature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to ty-
rants only.

"He has called together legislative bodies at places
unusual, uncomfortable and distant from the depository

R. I. DECLARATION OF INDKPKNDKNCK 9a

of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing
theui into compliance with his measures.

' ' He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly
for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the
rights of the people.

"He has refused for a long time after such dissolu-
tions to cause others to be elected whereby the legislative
powers incapable of annihilation have returned to the peo-
ple at large for their exercise, the State remaining in the
meantime exposed to all the danger of invasion from with-
out and convulsions within.

"He has obstructed the administration of justice by
refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary pow-
ers.

"He has made judges dependent on his will alone for
the tenure of their ofiiccs and the amount and payment of
their salaries.

"He has combined with others to subject us to a ju-
risdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged
by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended
legislation.

"For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of
trial by jury.

"For abolishing the fee system of English laws in a
neighboring province establishing tlierein an arl)itrary
government and enlarging its boundaries so as to render
it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing
the same absolute rule into these colonies.

"For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most
valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of
our government. -

"For suspending our own legislatures and declaring
themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all
cases whatsoever."

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R. I. DKCI.ARATION OF INDKPKNDKNCK

So far as these charges refer to military and naval
affairs and trade rej^nlations examples can be fonnd in onr
annals. The Gaspee opened the eyes of the home gov-
ernment as to the great latitnde that had been given to
this colony. It was the great reason why after the war
opened snch particnlar attention was paid to this colony.
No one of the colonies was left in snch a bankrnpted con-
dition. Perhaps it was this more than severe chastise-
ment that ner\'ed the people to resist with snch a dogged
determination. It is a very significant fact that in all
the actions at arms thronghont the War for Independence
nowhere can it be fonnd where a body of Rhode Island
soldiers or sailors faltered or wavered in the ranks. This
can be said after pointing out the fact that some of tlie
most determined and bloody resistance to the lUitish arms
were made by the soldiers and sailors from our colony.

While much can be claimed for our soldiers and
great fame for our military commanders, still it is to our
sailors that we nmst give the greatest praise of the two.
It can be claimed wdth every show of reason and plausi-
bility that, had it not been for our naval knowledge and
the aid which the navy afforded the army, the war would
not have lasted more than two or three campaigns.

The reason for this is not far to seek. The home
government's policy was to keep the colonies dependent,
and not allow them to acquire the means to defend tlu-ui-
selves. Kven the great Sir William I'itt said: ''They
must not be allowed to manufacture even a nail. " Not-
withstanding this the colony was doing something in
these lines. They were manufacturing only what was
absolutely needed. So strong was the feeling of the Eng-
lish merchants that the government was made to protest
against it and often was the protest successful. The pe-
riod of the French War had made the necessity so great
that many took the risk in this way, paving the way for

R. I. DRCI.ARATION OF INDKPENDKNCR

iia

a market of patriotism for the war about to come. All
these needful accessories were not sufficient to meet the
needs of a j^^reat war, nor were these so placed as to ac-
commodate quickly all these colonies.

The privateer here played a great part in capturing
and successfully bringing to port the valuable cargoes of
military supplies designed for the I^ritish Army and Navy
quartered in our principal ports. So im])ortant a part
was played that military campaigns were planned and ex-
ecuted after receiving these neetled supplies from a suc-
cessful capture.

You are familiar with that great capture of clothing,
some 12,000 suits in all, effected by one of our privateers,
the name of which does not occur to me now. The first
naval expedition of the war — that of Plopkins to New
Providence — with the successful capture of military stores,
is too well known to be more than stated. The many
expeditions to the West Indies were for the express pur-
pose of capturing arms and military goods. So were the
expeditions to places where the enemy would not be sus-
pected as open to an attack. All these captures prolonged
the struggle and so much weakened the enemy who had
to furnish his own establishment besides.

A word or two now is in order respecting the sailor
from our colony.

First, there is a something about the occupation of a
sailor that calls forth all the elements of character that
point to self-reliance. In nine out of ten cases on land
let peril endanger life and the victim will play the cow-
ard and call upon God or his fellow-man to come to his
aid and often blame some one for the trouble before him.
L,et perils beset a sailor at sea and the proportion is re-
versed. He knows only self and will work like a hero
for his own and others safety.

1 2a R. I. DKCI.ARATION OF INDKPRNDKNCK

In action at sea the same spirit is shown and the
fight is fought out with more fierce determination tlian if
on land. It is said the saik)r is more reckless. Be that
as it may, the sea side nation against an inland one is
more liable to ])e the master. So far as history gives us
examples it is the maritime nations that have held the
balance of the world's power.

Our colony early took to the sea. Having one of
the fmest l)ays and harl)ors on the North Atlantic coast,
they had a good fouuikation upon which to build up a
hardy people. With the growth of sea power grew \\\^ a
spirit of boat l)uilding. In this art they were original.
The privateers and ])irates of the sea called for vessels of
a peculiar build. Into this question the question of profit
and speed and safety entered largely.

Most of the l)uilders decided for profit and for defence.
The Narragansett l)uilder departed radically to o1)tain
speed and provided defence by having fewer guns l)ut of
longer range. It took other l)uilders a long time to see
the cause of success. It was called luck and many ])e-
lieved it. It was really good judgment in providing speed
and handling their vessel. These two qualities told.
The dangers of the sea had made them familiar with dan-
ger. The sea being infested with pirates afforded oj)])()r-
tunities to become familiar with warfare. Thus it will be
seen that long familiarity with the sea and its dangers
had bred a nation of hardy sons who were fully competent
and able to defend themselves against any and all odds.

Realizing the perils of the sea bred a spirit of inde-
pendence. The liberal inter})retation of their Ro)\al
Charter had settled the conviction in their minds that
there was but one power on earth that could tax them
and that power was their own. There was one power be-
fore whom all crimes they might commit could l)e tried
and that power was their own.

R. I. DECLARATION OF INDKPENDENCE

13a

These notions had been fostered by the action of the
home government. Perhaps had they been a hirger or a
more prominent Colony the case might have been sooner
looked into. It was not even snrniised, nntil the siege
of Lonisbnrg brought out the fact that the naval contin-
gent from Rhode Island by blockading the port and driv-
ing off the supply ships compelled the surrender of the
Gibraltar of America.

The little Colony had become famous and the home
government thought it prudent to look the matter up.

At the end of the French War, and after it had been
determined that the American Colonies should be taxed,
it dawned upon the home government that this Colony
was the most defiant of all. Accordingly, they were
looked after more carefully. The revenue was enquired
into. It was then that the discovery was made that the
Royal Charter had given them independence, except a
tacit acknowledgment of the Knglish Hag.

Now to the (piestion, and the answer to the charge,
that this Colony was nothing but a Colony of smugglers
if not pirates, it can be said that these men were within
their rights. As their Charter had not been taken from
them they had the royal protection and the supreme law
of the Kingdom on their side.

The charge was first started by those Knglish offi-
cials who assumed that the Charter was in harmony with
those of the other Colonies. That it differed radically
from all the others was made clear in the Gaspee Com-
mission, who saw that, even if they had found the guilty
parties, they could not be transported to be tried for the
offence but must be tried where the crime was committed.
This principle of law is the universal American rule of
to-day in all parts of our nation.

This is a very interesting fact and worthy to be re-
meiiil)ered.

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R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

I tiust I may be pardoned here by quoting from the
Royal Charter the following passage :

After stating that the Governor or in his absence
the Deputy (xovernor and six or the major part of the As-
sistants shall have the power to conunission and direct,
the Charter distinctly says :

''To assend^le, exercise in arms, martial array, and
put in warlike posture the inhabitants of the said Colony,
for their special defence and safety ; and to lead and con-
duct the said inhalntants, and to encounter, expulse, ex-
pel and resist by force of arms, as well by sea as by land,
and also to kill, slay and destroy by all fitting ways, en-
terprise and means, whatsoever, all and every such person
or persons as shall at any time hereafter attempt or enter-
prise the destruction, invasion, detriment, or annoyance
of the said inhabitants or I'kintations, and to use and ex-
ercise the law martial in such cases only as occasion shall
necessarily recpiire and to take or surprise by all ways and
means whatsoever all and every such person and persons
with their ship or ships, armour, amnuuiition or other
goods of such persons as shall in hostile manner invade
or attempt the defeating of the said Plantations or the
hurt of the said Com})any."

The words following give right to defend against the
natives or Indian Tribes. So it can be safely claimed
that the above quoted passage is referring to any Euro-
pean nation at the time attacked the enemy of England
or themselves and to nothing else.

The next point to make and to prove is that this
was so understood by these two contracting parties.

In the summer of 1690 a French fleet ravaged our
coast, captured Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Block
Island, where they committed excesses. The coast was
alarmed and now comes a real fight. Capt. Thomas Paine
sailed out from Newport with two sloops and 90 men.

R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 15a

Capt. John Godfrey was Paine 's second. The French
force was 200 men, nnder command of one Pekar. The
bloody action that ensned resnUed in Pekar losing half
his men, while Paine lost one killed and six wonnded.
The next day the French abandoned the Island and put
to sea, where the Captain followed them and did j^reat
damage, compelling them to sink a valuable prize they
had taken to prevent capture. [See Arnold's History of
R. I., Vol. 1, page 523-5.] This is the first naval en-
gagement between an English Colony and an Kuropean
nation. This was a very creditable affair. Capt. Paine's
position was never questioned but was very strongly com-
mended. This proves he was and did act strictly under
the powers granted in the Charter and, as I have already
remarked and as the public annals will clearly show, the
General Assembly laid revenue taxes in order to procure
the means to arm and provide a naval defence, and were
beyond question clearly within their rights.

I spoke of the various charges made in the National
Declaration respecting the interference with the Legisla-
tures and the laws of the Colonies. It will be seen at
once that all such interference was quickly noticed here
and the effects or results carefidly considered. The great
concern was that while such interference in many of the
other Colonies was within the rights of the home govern-
ment as such powers had been reserved, but here it had
been granted without a reservation ; hence our colony
was noting if it would not Ije their turn next. I am in-
clined to think it was the smallness of our domain in area
that really preserved it from interference, but the time
came at length. The sloop Liberty gave a pointer, and
other events following swiftly. After that the Colony at
once became a camp armed for the fray. The Charter
was stiulied closely and was interpreted that we were
really independent of Kngland, although we acknowl-

l6a R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

edged a semi-protecting or allied power in the govern-
ment at London.

Having this well reasoned and well thought out, see-
ing the dangers that were surely gathering around them,
knowing from experience that war was surely before
them, foreseeing that the struggle would call forth the
utmost skill of the sailor, in order the better to define
their position it was decided that the only proper and hon-
est course to pursue was to publicly declare their entire
independence of the mother country.

This might look at first as a daring and reckless move.
It was really the proper diplomatic tiling to do. They
could lay their Charter before any European nation and
point out their War power that had been granted them
and which tliey had fully and freely used for more than
a century without question. It could not be denied tliat
this Colony, even if the others were not, was strictly with-
in their rights and they had Royal authority for their
line of conduct. ;

That this declaration of May 4, 1776, had a hasten-
ing influence upon the Congress assembled at Philadel-
phia I think will be conceded. As I have just remarked
it was a bold dijilomatic move. That it was so seen at
Philadelphia I think nmst be conceded because they did
not condenm it but hastened to make a more formidable
accusation. They at once grouped together that list of
charges, most of which we have quoted in our paper.
In this paper they resolved to follow our Colony, "nui-
tually pledging to each other our lives, our fortunes and
our sacred honor. ' '

The year before the promulgation of this Declara-
tion by Congress had come another movement from our
General Assend)ly and that was to create a naval arm of
defence. It was of primal imi)ortance that the coast
should be guarded and the enemy harrassed at every

R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDKNCE 17a

fitting or proper opportunity that was offered. In this
great struggle before them the knowledge of the coast
was of the greatest importance. This knowledge was a
basis for strategic movements against the enemy. The

for independence proves that these basis w^ere well
studied and made use of during the entire period of this
momentous and historic struggle.

Our Assembly were fully persuaded that no time
should be lost in preparation for this imperative need of
defence by sea. Therefore it was seen and it was accord-
ingly enacted at the August Session (Aug. 21-26,) 1775,
that the creation of a Continental Navy was imperative
in order to provide a proper protection to our coast from
the invasions of the enemy. Their representative, Da-
vid Howell, introduced the act at the October Session of
Congress on the 3rd day of the month. It was favorably
looked upon, put in proper shape, and Nov. 5 passed.
This Act appointed Capt. Ksek Hopkins Commander-in-
Chief and gave him power to organize his fleet. Two of
the 13 sliips-of-the-line were assigned to be built in our
State. These two, the Warren, 32, and Providence, 28,
were launched May 15 and 18 following and were the
first two Continental frigates to float on the sea carrying
the Continental flag. . ..

This May, 1776, was indeed an epoch in the his-
toric annals of our Colony. The Declaration was one of
the most daring acts of the times and paved the way for
the national one of the July following. This was influ-
enced much by the fact that our Colony had taken means
to provide for a defence by sea and had placed already on the
water the first two Continental frigates. How greatly
this fact weighed upon the members of that Congress is
unknown but it could not fail of making a very decided
impression. It nnist indeed have been a surprise to those
members when Mr. Howell explained our Charter and

R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCK

what the Charter had guaranteed to his people. That
an English Colony could have had, and had so long lived
under, such Constitutional paper, why could not they be
also as well favored ? It appears clear to nie when once
these facts had become public property the national Dec-
laration could not be far distant.

The national Declaration was now history. The Colo-
nies were in arms. The English government saw that
they were in danger and that unless means were taken
to stop the dissatisfaction they would eventually lose
theni. It was thought best to take up a strategic point
somewhere midway ; hence New York was taken on ac-
count of its great harbor and a country surrounding where
provisions could be had in abundance. With Halifax on
the north for a naval base, and New York south for an-
other, New England, being the hot-bed of the dissatisfac-
tion, could soon be conquered and the Colonies forced
again into peace by force of arms.

There was one exception made in this plan and that
was that Rhode Island nnist have si)ecial attention. This
Colony, for exposing her Charter and in proclainnng pub-
licly an independence they had always enjoyed, nuist Ije
severely punished. Her political doctrines nuist not be
allowed to spread and her sailors and sea power nmst be
held in check. This cost the Government a great sum
in the end and shows that the smallest colony of the lot
was so dangerous that it required a very respectable por-
tion of her army and navy to hold it. This army and
navy did its work well. They left our capital city in a
ruinous condition after holding it from Dec. 9, 1776, un-
til Oct. 25, 1779- The enemy had become satisfied they
had most effectually destroyed the sea power of the Col-
ony. It is a fact of history that no one of the Colonies
was so severely handled and none had made greater efforts
of resistance. The question from the first was Liberty

R. I. DECLARATION OK INDEPENDENCE 19a

and Independence on one hand or a Colonial slave to a
favored nobleman of England on the other.

To the credit of the Colony be it written she stood by
her colors. She fought the good fight to the end. She
made no overtures for peace. Her officers were true to
their people. The ranks were always firm and unbroken.
The courage of the Colony was tried as with fire. The
struggle separated the dross and left behind a band of men
equal to that of the ancient Greeks, who fought the battle
of Thermopylce .

It is becoming a popular custom to-day to have an
" Old Home Week." It is well and I think adds a val-
ued feature to an educational system. It is well to set
aside a time to review the lessons of the past and to
gather new wisdom for our future guidance. No one
feature of this lesson is more important than to study out
the cost, the peril and the work taken to accomplish it.
The greater these, the more carefully should these prin-
ciples be respected, guarded and revered. Liberty of
soul, mind and body, free from Priest or King, is indeed
something beyond all price. It is gratifying to know
that our revered ancestors were men that have paid the
price but it will be more gratifying to realize that their
living descendants are fully determined to preserve, pro-
tect and defend it, and are able to pass it on to their suc-
cessors who have been taught ably how also to protect
and defend it.

A day like this, May 4, deserves the honor that we
pay to it. It is well to publicly recognize the most glori-
ous deed ever done by a (general Assembly. These men
were indeed Freedom's sons. Their names should be
placed in bronze and exposed within one of tht-. alcoves
of our State Capitol. It is their just due. If my health
and energies hold out I intend to make a trial to obtain
this honor for them.

20a R. I. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The spirit of liberty is like a burning fire. It means
constant action. The spirit dies as fast as the people
sleep or become indifferent. She gives every one of her
children to distinctly understand she wishes only the
bold and fearless, only the soldier that remains loyal and
true.

Indeed it can be said in the words of the poet, apply-
ing her similitudes to his words :

"Every fire that fronts the Sun
And every star that walks alone
Around the utmost verge of heaven
Were kindled at thy burning throne." (

Note— This paper was read before the Wickford Historical and
Improvement Association May 4, 11)07, in the Guild Hall. The meet-
ing was presided over by Dr. Harold Metcalf. After the reading of
the paper an informal discussion was had between the speaker, the
Doctor, and Rev. F. B. Cole. It was finally concluded to invite Mr.
Arnold to read another paper during the coming fall or winter upon
some interesting historical subject, the title to be announced later.

The Arnold F^^m^ly
Smithfreld

rhe Arnold Fan^ily of Smitl^field

T can be truly claimed that the family of
Arnold is not only a historic family in New
England but world wide historic as well so
far as European influence has extended the
history of the human races.

Henry II of England, called the great Lawgiver,"
took a great interest in genealogy. Ethelrcd of Rievaux,
the great authority of the age, dedicated his great work,
^'Genealogic Regum," to the king. He traced his pedi-
gree back to Adam without referring to his Angevin
father or Norman grandfather. This pedigree line in an-
other form is one of the rich manuscript treasures of the
crown of England today. Without venturing to dispute
or prove its authenticity to Adam the line can be well
proven back to one of the so called " Twelve Immortals "
which name I think the poet Virgil gives to the twelve
patrician families of Rome. This one was known as
Arno. What is still singular, the name has remained
from that far back period in history until now without
change save in the terminal letters. During the age of
heraldry for deeds done the public service I have seen
drawings of more than 200 arms. To one versed in the
reading of these emblems a history of the family could be
written .

A branch of the family became settled on the border
of Wales and England where it built up a strong follow-
ing. From here, Abergaveny, came two of the family to
New England. It will thus be seen that so far as family

ARNOLD FAMILY OF SMITH FIKLD

history goes no New England one can point to a more
aristocratic origin.

William and his younger and half-brother left Ports-
mouth May I and arrived at Boston June 24 in the year
1635. He had tlie forethought to take the date of birth
and baptism of his father's family. The first addition to
this paper was the date of the emigration; the next was
this item: "Memorandum — We came to Providence to
dwell April 20, 1636,"

This is the earliest date where the word Providence
can be found. The first official using of the word is at
the head of the Report of the Arbitrators, 27 of 5 mo.,
1640.

That William Arnold and his brother Thomas were
the wealthiest men of the Colony goes without saying.
Thomas owned at the time of his death in September,
1674, near 10,000 acres of land. His brother William
and two sons Benedict and Stephen could own nearly as
much. They paid the heaviest tax in the Colony.

William Arnold has been very much misunderstood.
Williams has given him a bad name. Mr. Williauis was
like our modern Teddy in some ways in giving character-
istics to those who did not agree with him. In order to
settle the general belief that Arnold was a bad man I in-
tend to publish his letters to Massachusetts and the deeds
he recorded there. Mr. Williams' letters have been pub-
lished. It is now no more than right that the other
should be also.

Thomas Arnold does not appear to have aroused
Mr. Williams' ire so much as did his brother William or
his nephew Benedict. Perhaps this was because Thomas
would not quarrel with him. His son Richard appears
to have been a man of influence as he was a member of
Gov. Andros' Executive Council which made him prac-
tically acting Governor of the State for three years.

ARNOLD FAMIl^Y OF SMITIIFIELD

It is well to remember here that the setting up of
the Royal Charter was a critical thing to do; that it was
set up successfully and gave satisfaction longer than any
other Charter to an English Colony on the Atlantic coast.
During the temporary suspensions under Andros the Act-
ing Governor here showed a cool and level head and great
executive power and ability. With honor he returned
the trust he had received.

This was a critical period of our history and the
wonder has been mine why our Colony was not rubbed
out. It can safely be said it was owing to having an
able executive in the chair of state.

It is well to pay a visit to a place where such a man
has lived and died. It is well to familiarize oneself with the
historic facts that cluster liere. Such spots as these are land
marks, sacred arms and symbols that mark the steps of
human progression. Interesting it is to note where the
history of one race ends and another starts.

Canonchet, the chieftain around whose head his ene-
mies have wreathed a crown ; the chief that died look-
ing his enemy firmly in the face, whose last act was an
act of mercy for his people ! This spot was familiar to
him in life — its beauties appealed to him as it did to the
race that succeeded him.

From this vicinity sprang the influences that influenced
the English town of Smithfield. The first President of
the first Town Council was born here — a man honored
and respected through a long and eventful life. Not far
from here the first Council and Town Meeting was held.
To John Arnold belongs the honor of setting up with his
associates the town government of Smithfield.

Jonathan Arnold, the author of the Rhode Island
Declaration of Independence of May 4, 1776, was born
here. Welcome Arnold, the great Providence merchant,
was a native of this place. Aza Arnold, the inventor,

II

8b

ARNOT.D FAMIT.Y OF SMITIIFIKI.D

was born near here, a man said to be the greatest genius
of his age. His sons also inherited his gifts and both se-
cured a fortune from the fruits of their brain. Thomas
Arnold, the Friend lawyer, and Secretary of the first
Peace Society of the State, was born near here. James
Arnold, the Friend merchant of New Bedford, was also
born near this place. Tliis man left a fortune of ^500,000
for a natural history garden to Harvard. Brown could
have had it had they not gone to sleep and let the prize
pass their doors.

I wish the Friend had only taken the usual Arnold
trait and worked independently and blaz.ed out a path for
himself. Had he only purchased this whole woodland
wild, clear to the roads, and then carried out Friend
Smith's ideas for a park — with that added, this town
would have had one of the finest and most beautiful places
in New England. With his perpetual care fund he could
have well afforded to smile with his native town as its
guardian. This would have been a truly Arnold trait.
How much do I regret this idea did not come to him !

Speaking of this park idea I have heard it intimated
that if this place would be so declared, an idle and disso-
lute crowd would gather here Sundays and loaf here sum-
mers and would make a nuisance of the place and vicin-
ity. This is all idle talk. Our parks can be made just
as safe as the roads and other public places. Order and
law can be had in one place as well as in another. If the
people say it shall be it will be.

I want now to speak of a matter that has been once
tried here by the Arnolds but now has been forgotten ;
yet it should be again tried and I feel if done so it would
revolutionize the farming interest of the State. It is a
well attested historical fact that Smithfield in the days of
the farmer's ascendency was one of the most flourishing
agricultural towns of the State, South Kingstown being
its only successful rival.

ARNOLD FAMILY OF SMITHFIKLD

9b

In early colonial days the ground was not enriched
for crops but later when the natural richness failed a top
dressing had to be used. Sniithfield was the first town to
use a top dressing and whether she or Cumberland was
first to irrigate I am not positive, but it lies between
them.

Where did the top dressing come from ? One only
has to roam about here to observe that in this vicinity on
nearly every old manor farm there are ruins of lime kilns
where rock was burnt and lime produced. From the
crude way of burning a large residue was left. This
dressed the fields.

Today it has been demonstrated that lime rock
ground fine and then scattered broadcast makes one of
the finest top dressings we have. What is needed on
every farm here is a small crusher and in winter or in the
dull season crush up the loose stones aud scatter them
over the fields. When the Arnolds tried to teach this
idea they were thought crazy. Today it is found these
men were born generations before their time. The proof
can be had right here about us. Go up here into these
woods and find a little clear space. What makes the grass so
very green and vigorous ? Is it not from the fertilization
it gets? Where do they get it from — is it not from the
rocks about ? These little spots are noted for their great
fertility. Nature has here hinted to man what can be
done. A poor farm need never be known where its life
is at hand as it is here.

In this connection here conies in a fact worthy of no-
tice. The large bleaching establishments on this stream
have earned a wide world reputation for the excellence of
their finished goods. Before this plant was established
the Arnolds had a small plant above where the modern
plant now stands. It is said they turned out a superior
line of finished goods, so nnich as to be generally noticed

lob

ARNOLD FAMILY OF SMITIIFIKLD

and remarked upon. Bleacliing requires lime and the
kindred chemicals with plenty of water. This water
flowing over and moistening the lime rocks it certainly
would act up(m the water. It is not too much to claim
that this is the secret of the success of this bleaching es-
tablishment.

Another fact not so well known is that the Lonsdale
Company's bleachery and dye works are not on the Black-
stone River but on a small stream whose waters flow over
and moisten these lime rocks. They use the Blackstone
water however in other Hues of finishing. The Lonsdale
Company's products are noted as a standard line of goods.

Here is one field where the Arnold family tried to
teach a new agriculture. They were teachers in other
fields. Several of them were noted surveyors. Mathe-
matics seem to be their forte and their delight to teach.
The law they took kindly to, so nnicli that Pt-leg and
Thomas Arnold were Chief Justices of the State, a score
and better of Justices of the County Court. It was rare
when old Smith field had not an Arnold Justice of the
Peace. The old Smithfield Town Council from 1732 to
the time of the division of the town in March, 1871,
never was without a mend^er that had not Arnold ])lood
in his veins and oftc-n more than one member. There
was no one family in the town that was more honored by
public confidence than this.

There is no need to speak of the family outside of this
town. Warwick could tell a similar story to Smithfield. In
some lesser degree Providence, North Providence, Cumber-
land, Scituate and Glocester can add their testimony to what
has already been said. Of the great six and most influen-
tial or wealthy families who led the public thought here
in the State during the War for Indepentlence Arnold can
most certainly be set down as one. One family produced
13 soldiers — that of Caleb Arnold of Glocester. The

i

ARNOLD FAMILY OK SMITHFIKLD

lib

SOU of Joseph and Caleb, by the way, was born here. So
far as niy knowledge goes I know of no other family in
the State that has exceeded this number of soldiers.

Doctors were numerous in the family and several
were very noted in their line. Smitlifield has never been
without. one or more of them.

I think from the record they have nuide in old Smith-
field they can be justly styled truly an historic family.
I do not mean by this from the accident of birth alone
but from a truly democratic republican modern way of
viewing the matter. Sanuiel Greene Arnold, the historian
of the State, came from this family. I think his father was
born near this place. Other members of the family have pro-
duced very meritorious works in more than one field of lit-
erary endeavor.

Viewing the family from one generation to another
they have kept up the standard so that each one has had
members that wrote their names high in the annals of
both St.'ite and Town. This is in my mind a fair test for
a historic standard of a family, a standard that has been
mentioned from father to son for nearly 300 years.

The lesson to be learned from all this is to treasure,
remember and enuilate all the good deeds and attributes
of our own sainted ancestors ; keep to their standard of
excellence ; try to excel it if you can. It is well to feel
and have a pride in yourself and family. A right living
and conduct in life will hallow this and blossom the di-
vine nature into a perfect flower, worthy the work of the
Master Divine.

Note— Read before the Rhode Island Citizens Historical Associ-
ation June 8, 1907, at a meeting held in the Smithfield Lower Meet-
ing House of Friends in Lincoln.

I

bw >i - mi

THE RHODE ISLAND
DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE

* THE ARNOLD EANILY
OE 5NITHEIELD, RHODE ISLAND

' JANES N. ARNOLD

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